Captain Larry​by Emily Reed

The rooster hadn't risen from their slumber when the boat sailed away from the dock. A hum of quiet anticipation was heard by the passengers who had one hand in the pocket of their warm coats and the other holding a coffee cup. Slowly, the hum grew louder as the motor roared while Captain Larry deftly navigated the vessel through rough Alaskan waters to find the ideal spot for whale watching.

The clank of the exhaust pipes and noisy engine made the passengers worried that they would scare off the whales. Some tried to tell the captain their concerns but he remained firm and stood by his patient position. His calm expression never wavered from his face as he stroked his unruly grey beard and adjusted his wide-brim hat. He enjoyed the waiting. One might go as far to say that he longed for it.

Seconds turned into five minutes and five minutes turned into ten. Just as the people reached the end of their patience, a dusty blue whale jumped out of the water, quick as a flash. Before people could click their cameras, it was gone. The crowd groaned in defeat. They thought they had spent all of this time waiting for nothing. The captain sensed this reaction and silenced them quickly with a shout. He knew that was only the first act.Suddenly, a colossal tail appeared out of the water and slapped the water with such force that a wave crashed onto the boat, soaking his passengers.He grinned. His old friend always did have a flair for the dramatic. ​